Guide Trails - 28 DAYS - Lowveld Trails Co.
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Lowveld Trails Co.
Apprentice
Trails
Guide
Course
For Trails Guides
by Trails Guides
The most experienced
Trails Guide Course
facilitator team in the
industry.
28 DAYS
06 April &
02 November 2021
Passion. Experience. Quality.
more about the
course
The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) accredited
Apprentice Trails Guide Course is conducted in the Greater Kruger National
Park over a period of 28 days. There is a maximum limit of eight participants
per course, ensuring personalised attention from the course facilitators and
as much first-hand experience for the candidates as possible. Although the
primary objective is to achieve the Apprentice Trails Guide qualification, we
place strong emphasis on the ethos surrounding trails guiding, the necessary
bush skills required for multi-day trails and holistic environmental
interpretation. The course consists of three Phases:
Phase 1 – Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) & Trails Guide Theory
We spend the first eleven days at a rustic tented camp on the Olifants River in
the Balule Private Nature Reserve. Here we commence with the Advanced
Rifle Handling (ARH) theory, training and assessment components.
We also start with introductory walks during which candidates may begin
logging walking hours and dangerous game encounters towards the
Apprentice Trails Guide qualification. The majority of the Trails Guide theory
will be covered during this phase of the course.
Phase 2 – Primitive Trail
The next four days of the course will be spent out on a 'Primitive Trail' in the
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, without support from a camp or vehicle.
Nights are spent sleeping in the open under the stars (no tents), with each
participant taking turns at “watch duty”, ensuring the groups safety.
All food and equipment are carried in backpacks, and we obtain
our water by digging in the riverbeds.
Each candidate will have to attain three Unit
Standards through the Professional Firearm
Trainers Council (PFTC) before commencement
of the course and the Advanced Rifle Handling
(ARH) component. The three Unit Standards are:
117705 Knowledge of the Firearms Control Act.
119651 Handle & use a manually operated rifle or
carbine.
123519 Handle & use a manually operated rifle or
carbine for business purposes.
Contact Firearm Management Services (JHB) on
083 307 0837 or one of the following Hoedspruit-
based companies:
Protrack at services@protrackapu.co.za or
Mark Montgommery at wildside.tt@gmail.com
Phase 3 – Walking Hours, Encounters, Trails Guide Theory continued & Exam
From day 15 we are based at our rustic tented camp in the Timbavati Private
Nature Reserve. The focus here is to log well beyond the minimum requirement
of 50 walking hours and 10 potentially dangerous game encounters. Between
walks we concentrate on the remaining Trails Guide theory modules. Once all
the lectures have been completed, there will be a brief study period before the
FGASA Trails Guide Theory exam takes place.
Track and sign training will be an ongoing component, culminating in a
CyberTracker Track & Sign Assessment at the close of the course.
"Absolutely brilliant - cannot fault the course, and learnt an enormous amount!
Incredible experiences and lots of memories to take away. Will definitely
book again on another trail. Thank you so much!"
- Caroline Prior (2019 candidate)
The course is intense, yet practical, with an
average of seven hours spent walking most days.
Our tented camps are basic, but comfortable,
providing an authentic and interactive experience.
You will log priceless walking hours and
dangerous game encounters under experienced
mentors who will guide you through the process
of approaching and retreating from dangerous
game on foot.
A typical day starts with a wake-up call prior to
sunrise. As the birds announce the approaching
day, we enjoy coffee, rusks and a light breakfast
before heading out on a four to five hour walk, as
soon as sufficient daylight allows.
We return to camp prior to midday for a well-
earned brunch, before the daily debrief, a short
lecture, or a few hours free to shower, read or
study. Around 3pm we head out again for a two to
three hour walk, with intention of gaining more
valuable hours and encounters.
Dinner and a crackling campfire await us back at
camp, usually followed by an open air shower and
an early night after the exertions of the day.
At times we will be walking for long periods in
rugged conditions, so candidates should be
prepared to get hot and dirty, all part of being a
Trails Guide operating in Africa’s wild areas.
the
campus
Our authentic Tented Camp is unfenced and erected under magnificent
Jackalberry Trees prior to each course. The entire camp is removed upon
group departure, ensuring minimal environmental impact according to our
'no-trace' ethic. There is no electricity, Wi-Fi or mobile phone signal, allowing
us the opportunity to tune into the rhythm of the bush without any distractions.
Canvas dome tents house 2 candidates each. A mattress and pillow is
provided, but bring along your sleeping bag and whatever other bedding you
- Jenni
may Smith (2017 candidate)
require.
Ablutions are simple, yet unmatched. Comfortable seats crouch over pit-fall
toilets and canvas bush showers stand under a canopy of trees, open to views
of the surrounding bush.
The communal area is around the campfire or at the kitchen area where our
cook whips up wholesome meals on a gas cooker and an open fire.
There is no WiFi,
but you will find a better connection.
What to Bring?
Sleeping bag (we provide a mattress & pillow).
Good walking shoes (already worn in).
Gaiters.
Head torch (spare batteries).
Water bottles (capacity to hold min. 2 litres).
Backpack.
Day pack.
Binoculars and cameras.
Reference books.
FGASA Dangerous Game Logbook
(only if you already have one).
course
facilitators
Brenden Pienaar (left) has always experienced a Wayne Te Brake (right) is a Wilderness Trails Guide with eighteen years worth
special magnetism towards natural spaces and of experience in the Nature Conservation and Field Guiding industry.
their ecological functioning. Consequently, he Along with his degree (BTech: Nature Conservation), he has obtained the
has made a conscious effort to gain as much FGASA Professional SKS Dangerous Game, SKS Birding, as well as the
experience and understanding of these Tracker Level 3 qualification, including Track&Sign Specialist (CyberTracker).
intricate systems over the past eighteen years to He also acts as National assessor for CATHSSETA & FGASA.
better equip himself for a life dedicated to their
interpretation and conservation. Wayne has guided throughout Southern Africa and has spent more than
eight years conducting Field Guide (Trails Guide) Training courses in South
His most valued attributes are systematic Africa. Over the last number of years, the majority of his time has been spent
problem solving and critical thinking, which he leading Backpack Trails in the Kruger National Park.
refined during a MSc. in Ecology through the
University of Witwatersrand (WITS). However, as With the advent of Lowveld Trails Co., Wayne’s focus has shifted to guiding
a practically orientated individual he thrives 'Primitive Trails' and training young Trails Guides in the Private Nature
on time spent in the bush and is continuously Reserves bordering the Kruger National Park. He has accumulated >11 000
challenging his skills as a naturalist. walking (trails guiding) hours. Wayne is a popular Trails Guide and Mentor
with a deep Wilderness connection. Time spent in the bush with Wayne is
Together with a BTech: Nature Conservation, always rewarding.
Brenden has achieved the FGASA Professional
SKS Dangerous Game, SKS Birding, as well as
Professional Tracker (& Trailing Specialist)
through CyberTracker. He still actively conducts
Backpack Trails in Kruger National Park, but has
become passionate about facilitating ‘Primitive
Trails’ & Trails Guide Courses for Lowveld Trails
Co. Based on his relevant field experience (incl.
>12 000 trails guiding hours), he acts as National
assessor for CATHSSETA & FGASA.
Brenden’s calm nature and ability to interpret the
inter-connectedness of the natural environment
makes him a popular Trails Guide and Mentor.
He deeply values the concept and philosophy of
wilderness and it’s associated attributes.
"You will truly be walking with two of the very best Trails Guides in Southern Africa.
This is an opportunity not to be missed."
- Lee Gutteridge (Wildlife Author & FGASA Scout)
Why choose Lowveld Trails Co.? course
An industry specialist. The only FGASA
accredited training provider that conducts
Trails Guide Courses exclusively.
dates
& cost
The most experienced Trails Guide Course
facilitator team in the industry.
Courses take place exclusively in prime big
game areas in the open system of the Greater
Kruger National Park.
Fair & competitive Trails Guide Course price.
There are two scheduled courses in 2021:
06 April to 03 May
Included: &
ARH training & assessment (two opportunities). 02 to 29 November
Trails Guide theory presentations & discussions.
Conservation Levies.
CyberTracker Track & Sign Assessment.
FGASA Trails Guide Workbook.
FGASA Dangerous Game Logbook.
ZAR 45 990 incl. VAT
FGASA Trails Guide theory exam.
Logging walking hours & dangerous game 50% deposit secures a spot.
encounters under experienced mentors.
Primitive Trail.
Primitive Trail equipment (excluding backpack).
All meals, juice, tea & coffee.
Contact admin@lowveldtrails.co.za for reservations.
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."
- Confucius
Excluded:
Transport to / from Hoedspruit, Limpopo.
FGASA membership fees.
PFTC Unit Standards.
Drinks.
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